Sairaj Bahutule - India - Bowling Allrounder

Sairaj Bahutule is a former India all-rounder who played 2 Tests and 8 ODIs. He started his first-class career with Mumbai in 19991/92. He played 188 first-class matches, averaging 31.83 with the bat that included 9 hundreds and 26 fifties. His leg-spin was also very effective as he ended his career with 630 wickets.

A string of good performances that included a 13-wicket match haul in the Irani Trophy (1997-98), earned him a national team call. But, a poor run in ODIs on placid Indian tracks resulted in his expulsion from the squad. However, an injury to Anil Kumble three years later gave him another chance to show his mettle. He was picked to face Australia in Tests, but he could hardly make a difference.

Bahutule ended his Test career with 3 wickets from 2 games. He could only manage 2 wickets from 8 ODI matches. Bahutule was a handy batsman lower down the order for Mumbai. However, he couldn't translate the same form to international cricket. He averaged 13 and 7.66 in Tests and ODIs respectively.

Bahutule grew up playing school cricket against the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli. In fact, Bahutule was one of the bowlers against whom Sachin and Kambli put on the record 664-run partnership. But Bahutule went on to play alongside the duo for Mumbai.

After serving Mumbai for 15 years, Bahutule moved to Maharashtra in 2005. In 2008, he moved back to Mumbai and won the Ranji Trophy that year. Bahutule shifted to Vidarbha for the final part of his career and in January 2013, he announced his retirement from first-class cricket.

Bahutule was appointed as the coach of the Kerela Ranji Team in June 2014.

By Sidhant Maheshwari